Kevin Bieksa in Ducks' Game 4 lineup

Veteran Anaheim Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa has rejoined his teammates for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Nashville Predators. It is his first appearance since injuring his knee in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal against the Edmonton Oilers.

Bieksa, 35, will provide a gritty presence on the back end in a series that has had no shortage of nastiness.

Shea Theodore, 21, was made a healthy scratch in order to make room for Bieksa. This is a bold move by head coach Randy Carlyle considering Theordore had been averaging over 17 minutes a night with eight points in 14 games throughout the playoffs.